Planning Practices

One of the keys to running enjoyable, effective practices is planning.

As with any other activity that requires discipline, tennis practices should have some type of consistency built in to allow your players to quickly get into a groove.

While every practice should be somewhat different, the format of your practices can remain the same from day to day, providing not only consistency, but following sound principles, as well.

Below is a model practice plan, adapted from the USTA's Successful Coaching workbook, which you can use to make your practices flow smoothly from day to day.

The article continues with an explantion of the following practice components.

Warm-up and Stretch

On-Court Warm-Up

Practice Previously-Learned Skills

Teach and Practice New Skills

Competitive Drilling

Practice Under Matchplay Conditions

Conditioning

Cool-Down